As my long-time readers know, I messed up my knee pretty bad in something the family refer to as “The Gin-cident”

Unfortunately being a stubborn old bird, I didn’t get treatment until too late and have caused lasting damage. This improves and declines with regularity and there are periods where I do not need a mobility aid.

However when my knee is causing issues, I have to use a walking stick. I both hate and love this with equal measure.

I hate the neediness, the restrictions I face and yet crave the ‘safety blanket’ it gives me and allows me to be more independent.

For the past few years I have been using a plain black functional cane, which just does not suit my personality at all. It does the job but is plain and boring.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I received an amazing personalised walking stick from the brilliant Neo-Walk

Neo-Walk have the tag line “Made To Stand Out, Not To Fit In” and this is so true. The brainchild of Lyndsay, an above knee amputee, she found as a young person that sticks were grey and dull.

She wanted bright, and striking but there was nothing out there. So she created an acrylic world of colour, style and innovative designs which have seen her sticks being ordered in over 25 places around the globe.

One of the best things about Lyndsay’s designs is that they are a little like a ‘pick n mix’ section like you used to get in Woolies as a kid!

Initially you look at all the acrylic offerings; coloured, opaque, patterned, glitter, and more. Then you need to decide on which handle style you would like.

The Curve, the Question Mark, the T-Handle and the Snoopy.

These are also constantly evolving and a new moulded handgrip has just gone live on the website. Available in left or right grips, these are exceptionally good when someone needs some extra support and I find, much more comfortable when walking distances.

You then need to consider if you would like a patterned gel-grip sleeve. These can only be added on at the order stage and cannot be removed once put in situ. They also come in two patterns with a total of 9 different designs.

By now, you would think that you would be done,

Oh no!

You need a ferrule for the bottom; that rubbery ‘stopper’ on the bottom of sticks that stop you from slipping whilst also providing stability, These are available in 8 different colours and I have to say, they are all pretty funky!

There are a couple of extra special touches that Neo-Walk offers. The first is a metal collar in either silver or copper colour which you can get engraved with a message of up to 20 characters in 4 different fonts.

Mine could only say one thing; “Secret Plus Size Goddess” which is done in a swirly script.

The second is the option only works with clear sticks; a hollow at the end in order to put in a bright torch that makes your stick light up, providing both security, a little light on a dark night OR a funky option to use in the nightclub!

You can even get little coloured dots of plastic which when placed inside the stick before the torch then changes the colour of the clear acrylic to whatever colour or combination  you put inside.

The final ‘extra’ you can order are multi-use bracelets made from acrylic that can be matched to the sticks you already have. These range from black to fluorescent to glittery designs and feature extra hooks for hanging a little purse or mobile phone on.

You have to admit that the sheer range of options for a simple walking stick are astounding. By the time every option is chosen, you can literally have a one of a kind customised still to suit YOU.

So, what did I end up with?

Well, as you know, I suffer with anxiety especially about items matching and even numbers being whole and so this is something that I have found to be most aggravating in the past.

Now, I have a smart, fun, stand-out walking stick with personal attachments.

Allow me to introduce you to The Gatsby.

A clear acrylic stick filled with golden glitter, it has a question mark handle complete with my ‘Secret Goddess’ collar, a black scale design gel grp, a clear ferrule and it has the capability of lighting up.

The stick is measured to your exact needs and this has come out perfectly for my 5ft frame.

Since the arrival of my stick, I have ordered a set of the coloured dots, a second torch for prolonged usage and a multi-use handle.

I opted to go with the clear glitter strap which comes with several golden rings to attach your phone, keys or other bits n pieces onto.

This matches the stick perfectly. I was a little perturbed about the actual clip that connects to the stick, as it was white and this was setting me off a little.

I emailed Neo-Walk and asked if there were any plans to sell the clips separately, and was thrilled to be told I could pay for a different coloured one, although this is not yet currently an option on the website.

Asking for a black one to match the gel grip handle, I know I will feel a lot more settled when it arrives.

All in all, the Neo-Walk range of sticks are amazing. The thought that has been put into the designs, colours and extras is just exceptional.

I am not going to lie. The sticks are quite pricey when compared to the free one the NHS might supply you with, or one of the metal standard sticks you can pick up for about a tenner.

However, if you need to use a stick, especially as part of your daily life, why not have one that you love. One that matches certain outfits or an occasion.

The time and love that is put into each design shines from within. Everytime I see my stick, it puts a smile on my face and makes me much happier than the boring black cane I was used to.

It is also a real talking point; people remark on it and ask where it is from and of course, I have to tell them about it lighting up! They are as amazed as I was when I found out about the option.

Gatsby came with me to Chicago and I walked for hours with it around the City. The stick was solid, capable and didn’t let me down once. I cannot recommend this design enough.

I have my eyes on a couple of other sticks that they offer; including Tiffany 1837 and Amethyst Quartz as the colours just ‘pop’. For sheer classical styling, the clear DNA stick with its genome style design running through the middle is a beauty.

For now though, I am going to enjoy Gatsby and put some of these sticks on my Christmas wish list!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx